Senior mobile home park residents were ready when evacuation order came

BANNING "" As the Summit Fire raged, dozens of homeowners in the line of flames and smoke were evacuated from their houses, including those living in a 55+ senior community, on Wednesday.

An evacuation site was set up at the Banning Community Center to accommodate those affected by the fire, which became an American Red Cross site shortly after 4 p.m.

The city originally took charge of the site before Red Cross volunteers arrived on scene, said Lois Beckman, executive director for the Riverside County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"We're here to provide snacks, water and comfort for families who are being evacuated. We're waiting for further direction and further information from the fire department as to what the next steps will be. So at this point we're trying to make a safe, comfortable place for families to wait (the fire) out," she added.

Dozens took advantage of the organization's services by making a temporary home either inside the center or its parking lot area, which also served as a mobile command post for police and firefighters.

Many people offered one another comfort by providing hugs, well wishes, water and McDonald's cheeseburgers as they waited to get the okay to go home.

Jessie and Duane Reineman have experience evacuating a home. They were evacuated twice from their mountain home in Big Bear when firefighters battled the Old Fire in 2005 and another time before they moved to Banning in 2007, they said.

They were two of more than 450 residents residing in Mountain Springs Village Mobile Home who were evacuated.

Once the fire gained momentum, the couple began packing their most prized possessions and clothes.

When they heard police and firefighters call for an evacuation, they were ready..

"(An officer) carried everything out of our home so we were ready to go," said Duane Reineman. "They probably literally had to carry (others) to help them get out of their homes. "

Joan and Larry Riley have lived in Mountain Springs Village for 12 years, and while fires had posed a threat to their home before this was only the second time they were evacuated.

"So we took the dog for a walk and got our animals all situated," said Joan Riley as she walked inside the center to check-in. "The first time (we were evacuated) the flames were closer, but it was a smaller fire. "

While the couple did not see any flames this time, the smoke was heavy enough that they were put on alert.

"And the cat is not happy," Joan said.

Evacuations were lifted for residents living in the mobile home community shortly after 7:30 p.m., authorities said.

Rio Rancho Market off Ramsey Street donated close to a dozen cases of bottled water to the American Red Cross for evacuees and those fighting the blaze.

The store also offered a discount to fire and police personnel as well, said Nayeley Espinosa, a store manager.

Animals were not allowed to stay inside the Red Cross evacuation site, but the Riverside County Department of Animal Services set up two sites for pet owners to keep their pets safe and away from danger, said an animal service official.

Small animals are being housed at the San Jacinto Animal Shelter at 581 S. Grand, while large animals "" including dogs, horses and cattle "" were welcome at Noble Creek Park off Oak Valley Parkway.

For more information, call 951-358-7387 or 951-791-3721.

Those who wish to help those affected by the Summit Fire can make donations to the American Red Cross online at redcross.org.